Need Help ASAP

mica21493

Active member
Dec 12, 2019
138
47
Eastern Pennsylvania
Parrots
Bebee - Blue and Gold Macaw,
Little Bird - Goffins Cockatoo,
Mica and Daffy, greatly missed
My neighbor was given an 8 year old umbrella cockatoo last week. They do not have large bird experience. They need to place him somewhere asap. The constant screaming and biting are causing a HUGE conflict in the family. I referred them to a parrot rescue I had been researching but they have not returned their phone call. The previous owner is not answering either.
There is no working this one out and I am really worried for the bird. I am not sure who else to tell them to contact. Does anyone know of some type of rescue in eastern pennsylvania or western new jersey that could help? Or have any ideas who else to contact?
 

Laurasea

Well-known member
Aug 2, 2018
12,593
10,702
USA
Parrots
Full house
Sometimes one of our members will take in a bird they can offer it here.

Sorry tho d know hiw to help otherwise
Sad situation
 

noodles123

Well-known member
Jul 11, 2018
8,145
472
Parrots
Umbrella Cockatoo- 15? years old..I think?
Oh lord..always the dang umbrellas...LOVE THEM, but not surprised...6-8+ is also prime hormonal time. They are quite hormonal for many years after reaching puberty around 6-8.. plus, the bird was probably babied early on, as they are all pretty needy and sweet as babies, hence, the problem...people create monsters because the birds WANT contact etc, and then things change and the want becomes and all-consuming demand. Honestly, even the adults are masters at bending people to their whims--- it's really hard to care for one if you have a big heart because they are so good at convincing you to do what is worst for them lol!

You have a Macaw, so it would be a poor choice due to dust etc...I mean, temporarily (in an opposite end of the house) you could possibly house him/her, but they need so much interaction.

have you tried Ruffled Feathers? (443) 974-5474

They may have to drive a bit to do right by this bird. You take on a creature that has the mentality of a cracked out 4 year old and lives for 80 years....you better be willing to drive 6 hours if it means making the next 72 years tolerable.
 
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SailBoat

Supporting Member
Jul 10, 2015
17,646
10,008
Western, Michigan
Parrots
DYH Amazon
Try the local Avian Medical Professionals and also the area Zoos. Yes, Zoos are not the best choice, but it sounds like everyone is up against the wall.

We have past the point that the neat idea of getting a larger Parrot to keep everyone company during the lock-down is turning ugly and there is likely to be far more of this.
 
OP
mica21493

mica21493

Active member
Dec 12, 2019
138
47
Eastern Pennsylvania
Parrots
Bebee - Blue and Gold Macaw,
Little Bird - Goffins Cockatoo,
Mica and Daffy, greatly missed
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #5
Yeah, I am actually painting my upstairs so the only place I could put him is the basement but it’s not finished and it’s just not a place to put a bird at all. I felt so bad I couldn’t take him just to get him to a rescue somewhere. I haven’t heard of ruffled feathers so I will pass that number along.
I know you can’t judge when they are in these kinds of situations but this guy has drawn blood several times a day to various family members and his screaming is unbelievable. I didn’t think a cockatoo could rival a macaw but wow, no contest when it comes to screaming! All he wants are cuddles and they had been petting him all over til they talked to me and I related some of what I learned here to them.
I didn’t think of avian vets or zoos either, I will pass both of those along. Thank you all for your help, I appreciate this community so much!
 

noodles123

Well-known member
Jul 11, 2018
8,145
472
Parrots
Umbrella Cockatoo- 15? years old..I think?
Yeah, I am actually painting my upstairs so the only place I could put him is the basement but it’s not finished and it’s just not a place to put a bird at all. I felt so bad I couldn’t take him just to get him to a rescue somewhere. I haven’t heard of ruffled feathers so I will pass that number along.
I know you can’t judge when they are in these kinds of situations but this guy has drawn blood several times a day to various family members and his screaming is unbelievable. I didn’t think a cockatoo could rival a macaw but wow, no contest when it comes to screaming! All he wants are cuddles and they had been petting him all over til they talked to me and I related some of what I learned here to them.
I didn’t think of avian vets or zoos either, I will pass both of those along. Thank you all for your help, I appreciate this community so much!


Yup- U2s can be CRAZY LOUD...and the persistence...but I can't imagine one without structure/boundaries etc...Mine still is my everything, but if I hadn't known better, I CANNOT imagine the terrorist she would have become, given how much work she is as a happy U2. I have seen how they can be --mine is still a HUGE job..I say this because it's like being married after a certain point. 1-6 is cute etc etc-- 6-20 can get crazy...and they do LOVE you, but they are obsessive if you let them get that way.
The cuddles people give (because they want them) are the same that destroy them.
They absolutely need people with behavioral and parrot knowledge, because, quite frankly, they are ill-suited for life in a home...despite how much I love them and despite how much I want them to be okay. If I could stop people from breeding them, I would. It's not them-- it's us.
 
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OP
mica21493

mica21493

Active member
Dec 12, 2019
138
47
Eastern Pennsylvania
Parrots
Bebee - Blue and Gold Macaw,
Little Bird - Goffins Cockatoo,
Mica and Daffy, greatly missed
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #7
Yeah, from what I understand, he screams even when covered which also surprised me! If he hears anybody moving around, covered or not, he screams.
 

noodles123

Well-known member
Jul 11, 2018
8,145
472
Parrots
Umbrella Cockatoo- 15? years old..I think?
Yes- serious FOMO. Mine will wake up if she hears a good Zoom conversation. SO SO SO SO SO SOCIAL! LOL! Mine is OBSESSED with all people and animals...Not saying she is always nice to them, but she saw a moth, gasped and said, "OHH A BABY BIRD!"

They do need a lot of attention--that is an understatement...but it has to be appropriate and guided from the start. There are different ways of interacting (as you know). It's like being meth when you are best friends with a meth-head lol....although, U2s are so much more charming and way more persistent if scorned without proper training.
 
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noodles123

Well-known member
Jul 11, 2018
8,145
472
Parrots
Umbrella Cockatoo- 15? years old..I think?
I DO feel for the bird, but between the macaws and the paint...I applaud you for trying and I hope you find this poor baby a loving home at a rescue or with someone who has previous U2 experience. They ARE so special, but they just don't belong in most homes...It depends on a lot of factors, but experience with other adult U2s is a pretty solid one (not always, but 99% of the time, non-officially lol)
 
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noodles123

Well-known member
Jul 11, 2018
8,145
472
Parrots
Umbrella Cockatoo- 15? years old..I think?
tried these guys? https://www.pearlparrots.com/ (again, never dealt with the, personally, but found them).

The U2 is not "beyond repair" (it's just that they are always U2s)-- I mean, it would likely take more than an arm and a leg, but for the right person, if they have a ton of time and patience, it could work. Don't give up on the bird as a whole.

It looks like there are a lot of rescues in Pennsylvania-- I would just remind them that, while driving a few hours seems annoying, they owe it to this animal to find it a safe and happy place to spend the rest of its life, as they are the ones backing out.
 
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AParrotPrincess

New member
Sep 8, 2020
4
0
Texas
Where is this U2 located? I can post about him/her on my instagram/youtube to try to see if someone REPUTABLE (key word) is able to take him/her in! I feel so sorry for everyone involved :( Goodluck
 

noodles123

Well-known member
Jul 11, 2018
8,145
472
Parrots
Umbrella Cockatoo- 15? years old..I think?
Yeah, I am actually painting my upstairs so the only place I could put him is the basement but it’s not finished and it’s just not a place to put a bird at all. I felt so bad I couldn’t take him just to get him to a rescue somewhere. I haven’t heard of ruffled feathers so I will pass that number along.
I know you can’t judge when they are in these kinds of situations but this guy has drawn blood several times a day to various family members and his screaming is unbelievable. I didn’t think a cockatoo could rival a macaw but wow, no contest when it comes to screaming! All he wants are cuddles and they had been petting him all over til they talked to me and I related some of what I learned here to them.
I didn’t think of avian vets or zoos either, I will pass both of those along. Thank you all for your help, I appreciate this community so much!

Look into Ruffled feathers and make sure it looks okay- that was something I found but I haven't dealt with them personally.
 
OP
mica21493

mica21493

Active member
Dec 12, 2019
138
47
Eastern Pennsylvania
Parrots
Bebee - Blue and Gold Macaw,
Little Bird - Goffins Cockatoo,
Mica and Daffy, greatly missed
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #13
He is located in eastern pa, very close to New Jersey. I definitely don’t think he is beyond repair, just needs someone with experience. Fingers crossed his owner has some luck finding a rescue today.
 
OP
mica21493

mica21493

Active member
Dec 12, 2019
138
47
Eastern Pennsylvania
Parrots
Bebee - Blue and Gold Macaw,
Little Bird - Goffins Cockatoo,
Mica and Daffy, greatly missed
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #14
Thank you everyone for your help, the owner found a placement for him. He is taking him there today.
 

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